The start of a new year is an important time for reflection and self-evaluation. The start of a new decade can be even more jarring as we reassess our current situation, success and happiness. It is the perfect time to set a SMART action plan for the year ahead. But, what are SMART goals. How can we use this common template to make sizable change on a personal level?
So what does a SMART goal actually mean?
You have to remember that SMART isn’t just a mindset for clever planning. SMART is an acronym: S.M.A.R.T. There are five elements to the plan that you need to focus on to turn an aspiration into a reality. Your target needs to be:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Realistic
- Time Bound
How to write SMART Goals for myself?
So how does this work for your own personal aspirations and dreams? The beauty of the SMART plan is that you can adapt the five elements to suit anything that you are working on. It is perfect for a large project at work, a long-term financial goal for the year or something related to your personal development.
Take some time to really think about something that you want to achieve this year. If you dismiss something because it seems too big or far-fetched, look at it again. A SMART plan could be your key to finally unlocking your potential and achieving that aim. Write everything down in a journal or create a mind-map of ideas. See what sticks out the most as being the most important or emotive. Look for patterns where goals might overlap.
How to make an action plan for achieving a goal?
Once you have an idea of your SMART goals, you need to start looking at your aims from a more analytical perspective with that 5-point plan.
- think about the specifics of the goals and precisely what you want out of the situation
- find a way to track your progress so that you can measure your growth and development
- make sure that your goal is within your means if you put in the effort
- appreciate the limitations that might have a negative impact on your progress
- create your deadlines
Write it all down, color it in, make it as personal and attractive as you can.
One of the best ways to start is to create some form of visual plan that you can add to and amend over the course of this project. You can look at your goals and reasons for creating the plan to motivate you. On days when you doubt yourself and your potential, you can see the charts of your progress and what you already achieved.
It is up to you whether you prefer to have a digital document that you can amend or something physical. If you are working on personal development goals, such as SMART plans for stress or physical health, a bullet journal is a great approach. You can create lists, calendars, charts and more to focus on your goals, your reasons and your progress. Digital charts and apps might be better for group goals and work projects.
The scientific benefits of SMART goals.
One of the reasons for creating these physical, personal journal is that they can also help with our mental health and perspective during these tough times. It can be nice to end a day coloring in a journal with another day’s achievements. You can watch the book develop with you and keep it and a memento of your accomplishments. You can also save room to write your thoughts on the day – good or bad.
The goals will also help you turn what might seem like an abstract idea or pipe dream into something tangible. One of the biggest hurdles we face is that sense that a big project, financial aim or other life goal is forever out of reach. Perhaps we were accused of thinking too big in the past and overreaching. These plans can give us the strength to break free from negative thinking, develop and reach our potential.
A SMART plan like this objectifies everything and breaks it down into something that actually seems more of a reality. A strong plan of action with the right focus is easier to act upon and can, therefore, yield better results.
Creating SMARTER goals.
You may have seen some people online talking about SMARTER goals. Here they add the extra features of Evaluated and Reviewed in there. If you are working hard on your progress across the year and keep up with your journals, the evaluation and review process should be ongoing anyway.
Evaluation and reviews are helpful here because some people can struggle with the perceived rigidity and structure of the plan. While you do need to have a strong foundation with your key goals, deadline and reasons for pursuing this dream, that doesn’t mean you have to be inflexible. If you can see room to adjust your approach and still work towards your goal then make the changes. Doing so can be better in the long-run because it allows for greater personal growth and a better understanding of the journey, not just the destination.
Creating a strong SMART goal for your future success.
Now that you know how to get started on creating a plan, let’s look at those five elements more closely and apply them to different scenarios. The situations below are SMART goals examples for business goals, financial goals and mental health goals. You can use this to apply the plan to your own needs.
1) Specific
What is it that you actually want? Be as specific as possible, write it down and visualize the moment when it becomes a reality. If you aren’t specific then how can you know when you have truly reached your goal?
How to create a financial SMART goal.
Instead of saying that you want to save more money, come up with a specific target and what that money will go towards in the future.
How to create a business SMART goal.
Don’t create vague ideas of needing to increase customer numbers or a social media presence. Figure out percentages, clear target markets and precise numbers.
How to create a mental health SMART goal.
Saying that you want to improve your mindset or mental health isn’t enough. What exactly needs to change. What do you wish you could do more of to feel calmer or happier? Do you want to focus on meditation, prayer, a new healthcare plan?
2) Measurable
Find a way to track the progress of that goal and see your efforts in a measurable way. Break the goal down into figures and pieces that will add up across the year into something impressive.
How to create a financial SMART goal.
A better budget or savings plan is all about money earned and money set aside. Break it down to the dollar rather than the paycheck. Write down every time you put money aside, whether its a bank account or a piggy bank.
How to create a business SMART goal.
If your business goals are all about customers numbers or social media success then track them all. Log the new followers, the new subscribers to your newsletters, the big sales you made and anything else that counts.
How to create a mental health SMART goal.
Track your habits. If you plan to meditate more then chart the sessions and their duration. Write down all your efforts and achievements however small. Acknowledge the progress.
3) Attainable
This can be the hardest part for many people. Once you get it in your head to have a goal in mind, it is easy to reach for something that isn’t realistic. Consider external factors that might have an impact on your efforts. Factor in the financial climate, your support team, your competitors, your health and anything else that could hold you back.
How to create a financial SMART goal.
Understand your outgoings and income in fine detail. Is this really the best time to be trying to kickstart a budget or savings if you’re working fewer hours or have major expenses coming up?
How to create a business SMART goal.
Is this the right time to implement a long-term plan with your team? Will they be around to help out for the duration? Is there any risk of changes in management or upheaval on the horizon that could change your direction?
How to create a mental health SMART goal.
Are you in the best place to make a start on new habits? Do you have stability in your life and a good support network? Are there additional worries to factor in that might cause you to lower expectations?
4) Realistic
Is this SMART goals worksheet something that you can physically work towards if you start right now? Does the goal relate to your current reality or a complete fantasy? Sometimes we create goals where there is a disconnect between our current self/status and the place we want to be. The stepping stones between need to be accessible and manageable from the start.
How to create a financial SMART goal.
Don’t tell yourself that you will save X amount of money this year for a big expense when you know that it is impossible to have that much leftover from your income. Understand your current situation for a realistic financial goal.
How to create a business SMART goal.
Is your ideal version of your business or your social media set-up something that you can start working on now? Do you even have the right accounts and data in front of you to create the best plan?
How to create a mental health SMART goal
Can you start today and now that a small step now can turn into a new habit? Or does the thought of starting this journey scare you? You have to be sure that the person you see in your dream situations for the future is really the ideal version of you.
5) Time Bound
Finally, there has to be a deadline for all of this. Otherwise, you could work slowly on the same goal without seeing any major achievement. It has to come to end and you need that finishing line to help push you through your different steps.
How to create a financial SMART goal.
It is isn’t enough to say that you want to save money for the future. If you keep it vague, you might put it off and up decreasing your payments. Pick a date when you want to see X amount in the bank and then put it towards something.
How to create a business SMART goal
Time Bound goals in business are essential if you want to improve year-on-year. You can work to reach a certain target by the end of the fiscal year, a key consumer period or a major holiday. Either way, stick with it.
How to create a mental health SMART goal.
A time bound deadline can seem like a difficult goal for mental health but it gives you focus. Pick a date for the future or an event that you think you might struggle with. Work on your goal with the knowledge that you can attend in the best frame of mind and handle it well.
Work on these five SMART goals to turn your dream into reality.
In short, a SMART goals worksheet is all about breaking down your aims into short-term goals with a clear end goal in sight. You need goals that are attainable, relevant and timely with a clear way of measuring your specific aims. It can take time and courage to get started. There may also be times where you doubt your potential and progress along the way. But, if you stick with the plan, evaluate your efforts and review your work, you can go a long way.
These SMART goals really are applicable to so many situations. While many will keep them professional for major projects and career goals, you can actually make SMART goals for any aspect of personal or professional life. All you need is a simple SMART goals template, like the one we provide below, and you can turn it into something personal, inspiring and highly beneficial for your health and success.
